About My Father’s Business Outreach Ministries (a Grace Brethren Church)

First giving honor to God for love, life, salvation, and His will.  Altar call today was a riveting, annointed experience.  We are thankful for Sister Rosie Joyce.  It was obvious that she allowed herself to completely surrender for God to use her to pray accordingly.  Our Lord and Saviour was pleased with her submission and many burdens were left there thanks to her obedience.  

  

Today in Pastor Joyce’s absence, Minister Rob Richardson blessed us with his sermon titled Get Ready For The Rapture.  The sermon title is a perfect indication of the sermon contents.  He preached from 1 Thessalonians, chapter 4 verses 13-18.  Christians…true believers, we must live our lives as though we believe that Christ is coming for His people.  Sure, he may return in 100 years, but he also may return tonight as we sleep.  If you can not proclaim beyond a shadow of a doubt that you’ll be swept up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air to spend eternity with him, then you need to self-evaluate and make changes fast.

We ask the Lord to place a special blessing upon our Pastor, Stephen Joyce while he is away.  We missed him in service today, but we rejoice that he is in Columbus, Ohio to lend support to his sister Edith, as she was ordained a Minister.  Praise God for that!

This past Saturday at the Women’s Shelter was again a blessing.  Since this visit was directly after the Thanksgiving holiday, the question, “What do you have to be thankful for?” was posed.  The women of the shelter were not vocal when it came to answering that question.  Admittedly, their moods appeared heavy laden; as though they were just going through the motions.  Some had the, “Yeah, yeah, speak your piece and give us some food” look.  Thanksgiving is considered a ‘family holiday’.   We understood that many of these women haven’t seen or heard from their families in years and that Thanksgiving did not hold ample meaning to them.  Sister Rosie Joyce used that atmosphere as an opportunity for God to move in the midst.  She let those women know that although their situation may not be how they wanted their lives to turn out, they still have so much to be thankful for.  Jesus is Lord and as long as he still grants us breath in our bodies, we should rejoice in that and praise Him; even in our suffering.

The Gospel Transformation series in Wednesday night Bible Studies have been a hit!  Our turn-outs are growing and steady.  People are truly looking forward to these fundamental, honest, and fast-paced teachings.  It promotes the ongoing renewal in Christian’s lives, relationships, and ministries, while encouraging us to greater faith, repentance, and love.  You don’t want to miss it.  Come join us this Wednesday evening at 7:30pm.  Please strive to be prompt because the foundation of the study takes place within the first 30 minutes.  If you miss that, it may be difficult to follow accurately.

This year, the Angel Tree Ministry will be on Saturday, December 9th.  We are gathering the names of children whose parents are incarcerated along with their gift requests.  Remember church, we are blessed to be a blessing!

About My Father’s Business Outreach Ministries // 411 New York Avenue, N.E. // Washington, D.C. 20002 // (202)548-7555 // amfbgrace@yahoo.com

Vision Statement:  To become a unified and dedicated team of believers committed to Jesus Christ; who loves and welcomes the lost and hurting, serve according to their God-given abilities, have a vision to expand God’s kingdom into our world, and know that service matters.

Today we welcomed several visitors, including the Gornick family.  They are missionaries (representing Grace Brethren) who will soon be moving to one of the poorest parts of the world (LaPlata, Argentina) to spread the Word of God through missions.  We ask that the entire AMFB church family continuosly keep them in prayer as they take such a leap of faith to follow the will of Christ.

 

The Gornick’s faithfulness, coincidentally went right in line with today’s sermon titled, “Standing Tall”.  Pastor Joyce used the anology of Stephen in the book of Acts chapter 6 verses 8-15; a man full of God’s grace and power whom did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.  Within men arose opposition against him, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by which he spoke.  This inability caused some to lie on Stephen, even producing false witnesses to testify against him.  Through it all, he never stopped sharing his faith. 

Church, we must strive to live as Stephen…not an apostle, angel, or otherwise, but just a man with enough faith and knowledge to stand up and proclaim Christ in all circumstances.  Not only do we have to remain steadfast, but we need to be knowledgeable of who God is and what he wants for us.  The only way to be sure of that for yourself is to read your bible and pray.  In Pastor’s words, “Hell is full of people who started to stand up for Christ.”  In other words, the intention may have been there, but there was no execution of action…no follow through.  1) Be able to stand your ground  2) Know the Word for yourself  3) Know the people you attempt ministering to  4) Don’t debate…declare!  5) Ensure there is no hinderance within your life.

We Praise God for the teaching, understanding, and application of His Word. 

Sunday school was also an awesome teaching.  In the adult class, Deacon Thomas gave answers and analysis pertaining to the question, What Does It Mean To Worship God In Truth?  In John 14:6, Jesus states, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”  We can paraphrase the remainder of that verse by saying, “No one can worship the Father except through Me.”  Since our Lord is the embodiment of truth, worship is ALWAYS through, in, and for Christ.  To worship in truth means that our worship will be based on God’s revelation to us in His word! 

Last Wednesday’s Bible Study was unbelievable.  It provoked a great deal of self-examination by delving into the book of Job.  How many times do we Self-Justify in situations that we know aren’t pleasing to God.  Job boasted and bragged on himself and questioned God when things weren’t going his way.  He felt that there were certain things he should be privy to because of his works.  We are so often the same way.  We expect God to bless us because of certain works, but we continue to do other things that aren’t pleasing to Him.  We justify our actions.  Our responses are so often, “Well, that’s just me.  God knows my heart.  He created me this way.”  My fellow Christian believers, it’s time to stop playing games with the most high.  It’s time to stop making excuses for our shortcomings and misdeeds and come correct for Jesus.

We thank God for a productive week in Christ.  This coming Saturday, November 25th is our next scheduled Women’s Shelter Ministry.  Praise God that it is on Thanksgiving weekend.  This is a special time to show the love of God to the ladies who long to be with family.  Let’s help them become part of the family of God.  Church…we are in great need of help for the food/cooking portion of this ministry.  Even if you can not be a physical part of the ministry, please see Sister Barbara Booney to inquire about how you can be of assistance.       

What a glorious time we all had celebrating our Pastor on Saturday evening.  AMFB’s 7th anniversary and Pastor appreciation services were intertwined.  We are so thankful that we have been blessed with such a dedicated and faithful man-servant…picked by God’s own hand.  You’re doing a wonderful job Pastor Stephen Joyce!  We love you.

Sunday’s sermon was preached by a guest, Reverend Jami Freeny.  The sermon title was aptly named, Back to the Basics.  We live in a ‘microwave society’; wanting everything quick, fast, and in a hurry.  In the midst, we tend to put God on a schedule; when things aren’t happening in our time, we are quick to become impatient with Him.  We need to trust God and allow Him to work within our lives…on His time.  We need to love God for what we can give to Him, not vice versa.  Sometimes we need to go back over things that we already know and read bible verses that we’ve already read, to reiterate the basics.

Looking forward to Bible Study tomorrow?  We can’t wait to see you there.  Last Wednesday, we continued within our Gospel Transformation series; going over the circumstances, struggles, temptations, and sufferings of Joseph, Solomon, Job, and Jesus.  Applying their situations to our own lives was very enlightening.  What an awesome approach to learning the Word and applying it to our lives. 

God is so good!

** Want to see more photos from Pastor Appreciation Service?  Click on the Activities and Ministries album, top right.     

Pastor Joyce is requesting that the entire AMFB family join him in prayer, requesting that God give us favor and an open door at the men’s shelter down the street.  He had a meeting today with the shelter’s director to discuss possible ministry opportunities.  God may grant the privilege to share in the ministry of Christ through special services, food, and counseling.  Also, pray to ask God what role he would have you to take within the scope of this ministry.  (Luke 2:10b) “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” 

 Many of our kids had a blast at the church this past Saturday.  They had fun playing games, doing arts and crafts, eating candy and hot dogs, and more.  The purpose of scheduling the day was to provide an alternative to Halloween celebrations within the world standard.  It wasn’t about costumes and the like, but more about having a fellowship with other Christian children.  We thank God for the turn-out and we pray that next year, we’ll have more organization time and an even grander event.

Sunday, Pastor continued his teachings from within the book of Acts.  The sermon was entitled Called To Serve, from Acts Chapter 6 Verses 1-7.  If we are seeking to be more than simply church folk, by pursuing an intimate relationship with God the Father, we must heed ’the divine call to duty’ and serve Him in every capacity that we can in our lives.  Often times, we get so caught up in the titles associated with Ministry, that we forget what Ministry truly is all about.  A Minister of God’s word is an obviously high position within the realm of the church, but singing, deaconing, ushering, organizing, and cleaning from your heart for God and your church, is as much a ministry as any other.  We (Christians) have to learn to put our pride and egos to the side for the enhancement of our church and ultimately…for the Kingdom of God.  

What an impactful sermon!  We praise God for the truth of His word.  Get a CD of the sermon for yourself for a $5 donation.  Hear, understand, and apply to your own lives for yourselves!

This was our Communion and Love Feast Sunday.  We had communion directly before benediction.  After the service was over, the Ushers famous turkey wing and BBQ rib dinners were distributed, each for an $8 donation.  Yummy!

Behind the Cross is scheduled to rehearse today at 6pm.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION…

Course:  The Discipling Cycle~Becoming Christ-like  **Just for Teens**  Sunday morning at 10am

- The Great Commission to, “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matt.28:19-20).  Youth ministries in our country today have often failed at this task, not because the kids are unwilling, but because we as leaders have under challenged them.

     The course is more than a series of Bible studies, it is a pattern and plan for the challenge of youth discipleship.  From the committment to prayer for adult leaders to the one-on-ones with other teenagers, The Discipling Cycle presents a Christ-like model for teen discipline.  The bible studies themselves are deeper in focus than much of the youth curriculum published today and consistently confronts the students with Christ himself. 

Course:  Worship Believer, Experiencing God  **Adults Only**  Sunday morning at 10am

- Many people are confused with the idea of worship.  What is true worship?  How do I worship? 

     Experiencing God in worship is a vital experience.  In this interactive study, adults are presented a process where God brings you face to face with His truth.  The purpose of this study is to help the church corporately come to unity of heart and life in our understanding and experience of God’s requirements and standards for worship.

Course:  Gospel Transformation  **Adults Only**  Wednesday evening 7:30pm (child care provided)

- This is a comprehensive study on the Christian life that centers on transformation by the power of the gospel.  This course is designed to promote ongoing renewal in your life, relationships, and ministry.  Consider it a training tool that seeks to encourage you to greater faith, repentance, and love.

     How does transformation occur in the Christian life and how does this relate to the difficult circumstances of life?  What are the essential elements of the Christian life, and how do we change?  The course concerns itself with such questions.  It focuses on Jesus, and includes discussions on the crucial role of the Spirit in transforming our lives, and the dynamic of faith and the repentance leading to obedience.

Members, please keep your fellow members prayer requests in mind throughout the week:

George and Anna Nelson…………………………………Jocelyn’s Dad and Grandmother

Prycilla Williams………………………Preston’s Mom

Linda Thomas………………………………(Deacon) Jay’s Mom

Verna Inman………………………Mark’s Mom

Joshua Salinas…………………………………Michelle’s friends’ son

Our post-Halloween day gala for the kids is scheduled to go off without a hitch, tomorrow from 2:30 to 5:30pm.  Parents, bring your children to experience the Halloween tradition as it is supposed to be…fun, candy, positivity, and fellowship; all in God’s house! 

Wednesday night Bible Study was a welcomed change of pace.  The focus of study is no longer solely within the book of Revelation.  From CREATION, to FALL, to ISREAL, to JESUS, to OURSELVES, we touched on a lesson entitled, God’s Story-Your Story.  This ‘Gospel Transformation’ approach to and experience of study is a blessed whirlwind that is completely applicable to our lives in every possible way.  This new study technique forces an intimacy with The Bible due to heavy scriptural references.  Ladies and gentlemen, do you want to change your life for the absolute purpose of giving God the glory and recognizing your personal shortcomings to enhance your personal relationship with God?  If you answered yes, this is the Bible Study for you.  Come every Wednesday evening promptly at 7:30pm with an open mind and heart.  

Be blessed!